But there is no place for former GB international Batch, who has been patrolling the Devils blue line with hugely effective commitment and skill this season.

When Batch was left out of the national team for the World Championships last year it was perhaps more understandable because he was switching between defence and offence with Devils.

But he has been a regular on D in 2018-19 and Cardiff are again top of the Elite League.

Batch, from Wickford in Essex, is in his eighth season with Cardiff and helped them win the League title, Erhardt Conference and play-off championship last season, saying: “That was was the best full season in my career so far,” said Batch, who has played Champions League hockey for Devils.

Welshman Matthew Myers pictured after Great Britain’s gold medal winning performance at the World Championships last year. Pic: Dean Woolley.

He has a long-standing ambition to play World Championship hockey for Britain and Batch will keep playing flat out for Devils and hope he does enough to earn a call-up for later warm-up fixtures.

“Batch is so versatile and we are confident in him playing either forward or defence,” said Cardiff coach Andrew Lord when he signed him before the start of this season.

“He is big, strong and has the ability to create chances with the way he gets into the offensive zone and creates havoc for opposing defencemen.

“Nobody likes getting chased down and hit by a 6ft 4ins, 220lbs guy and when Batch is on his game, he is tough to deal with.

“I love having him up front on forward, but equally I know we can drop him back to play defence at any time, which makes him so valuable to this team.”

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